While the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t play their best game in Sunday’s 28-21 road loss to the Buffalo Bills, it was still a close contest at the end. The Chiefs were outgained. They lost the turnover battle
and the time-of-possession comparison. They didn’t protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes well enough or apply enough pressure to Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen. They didn’t run the ball often enough — and gave up too many big plays, too.
Perhaps Kansas City was quietly holding something back for the postseason. Perhaps the team’s injuries were finally too much to overcome. Or maybe, on this day, the Bills simply made fewer mistakes.
Whatever the reason, it was a disappointing result — and a missed opportunity to make up ground in the AFC standings.
Here are a few Chiefs who stood out during Kansas City’s customary regular-season loss to Buffalo.
Winners
Wide receiver Rashee Rice: The wideout claimed the first rushing touchdown of his career and 80 receiving yards. Most of the Chiefs’ big plays in this one included No. 4. In fact, one could argue that sometimes, Mahomes was too locked in on his top target. But Rice has been brilliant after his return — and should be a monster down the stretch.
Safety Bryan Cook: There will be questions about the defense’s shortcomings on Sunday, but the young safety started strong with a pass breakup on a fourth down. Later, he helped keep Allen out of the end zone on a quarterback sneak. This season, Cook has stepped up as an enforcer and a leader — and had plenty of good moments against Buffalo’s offense.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie: The All-Pro played his heart out, recording a sack and a tackle for loss among his 12 total tackles. Even if the defense came up short in Week 9, his physicality and talent have been a huge part of pushing this unit into the top five through the first eight weeks.
Linebacker Leo Chenal: The fourth-year player stepped up with a critical goal-line stop and a drive-ending sack that helped keep Kansas City in the game. His strength and aggression show up every time he’s on the field — and he remains part of the long-term solution.
Running back Kareem Hunt: Arguably the best short-yardage back in the NFL, he still finds a way on fourth down and at the goal line — and on Sunday, he even collected a fourth-down score. While he stepped into the featured role in Isiah Pacheco’s absence, he didn’t get that kind of volume. Even so, he looked solid — and despite Kansas City’s continued reluctance to commit to the run, produced 54 yards on 12 touches.
Losers
Running back Brashard Smith: With Pacheco sidelined, many hoped this would be another breakout game for the rookie, but Smith couldn’t get anything going. He finished with just three touches for seven yards. The explosive pass catcher was only targeted once, while reports continue to suggest that the Chiefs are exploring running back options.
The Chiefs’ offensive line: Trey Smith was banged up, Josh Simmons was still away from the team and Jawaan Taylor left with an ankle injury. There were missed assignments in pass protection — including a first-quarter sack when Travis Kelce was left blocking two defenders. Taylor was called for another illegal formation penalty on a third down. Wanya Morris came in and drew a holding flag of his own. Jaylon Moore was beaten several times, including on a key third-down sack in the fourth quarter. Unsurprisingly, Mahomes looked uncomfortable all afternoon.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: Statistically, Sunday was one of his worst games. The themes were familiar: too much pressure, no open receivers and no running game. He missed Rice on a fourth-down play when others appeared open — and then took a sack on a third down after drifting back into the rush. Then came the fourth quarter. With four minutes left and down one score, Mahomes forced a deep throw to double-covered Xavier Worthy for an interception. Later, he had three chances from the 40-yard line to tie the game — the last of which didn’t even reach the goal line. It was a tough day for the MVP.
Head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo: Sometimes, you just get out-coached. Reid’s offense settled for field goals twice in the red zone — and that was the difference against a Bills team that scored four touchdowns. Reid argued an intentional grounding call to no avail but otherwise refused to run the ball. Spagnuolo’s unit allowed its first 100-yard game from a running back since December of 2023 — and was outgained 2-to-1 overall. Injuries played a part, but you’d expect Reid and his staff to have more answers in games like this. Buffalo looked like the more prepared and focused team, while Kansas City played sloppily and predictably.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill: Dalton Kincaid and James Cook both had career days — and Tranquill did not. He fell on Kincaid’s first touchdown and later lost him crossing the middle for another big gain. Overall, he looked a step or two slower than his usual self — and Buffalo made him a frequent target.
Please note: the labels “winners” and “losers” are not judgments of talent or character. They simply reflect single-game performance. No disrespect is intended.
